Tracker Deep V

[cyama]

Looking at a Tracker Deep V 14'. Do any of you out there use this boat for fly fishing? Was hoping to chase stripers and black bass in the delta and shad in the american and feather. Any suggestions for a good all around boat would be appreciated. The other route would be a jet sled, but I have heard they don't fare too well in the delta????

[bonneville54]

Looking at a Tracker Deep V 14'. Do any of you out there use this boat for fly fishing? Was hoping to chase stripers and black bass in the delta and shad in the american and feather. Any suggestions for a good all around boat would be appreciated. The other route would be a jet sled, but I have heard they don't fare too well in the delta????

I'm asking similar questions.....a real newbie to boating here.

You know, one that handles all types of water....shallow lakes and marshes, big waves on lakes, the California Delta, Almanor, Davis, very little draft, wide and stable and so on. The perfect boat.

Seriously, I'm looking for a boat that is rather versatile and have looked at a few from Lund and Lowe and Tracker. I like the idea of a Bass type boat (with no use for a live well) and Lowe has one called the Multi-Species.

http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/mod-v/stinger-multi-species/st175.php

But, I'm new to this....Deep Vee? Modified Vee? Flat bottom?.....how much power does one need?


Looks to be a lot of good used boats on the market. A lot of them have all the goodies installed. Speaking of goodies, which are useful to fly fisherman? And... If you can't see it in the water....what do you look for in a used boat, how do you test the motor?

Thoughts?

[ted1]

Well I can't say I have a good all-around boat, but I do have a 16' mod V. Once the caps get above 2-3' or so, I get sprayed pretty good unless I can get a good plane. The semi flat bottom adds stability, mines 5'+ in the back. When I got it, it was stacked to the brim with oak leaves. Sitting for 5 yrs or so. I rebuilt it and my main goal was to maximize the deck space. The only things that get in the way are the side console, and electric motor. I have been in the Deep V lunds, and there is definitely a shortage of upper deck room, but they can fish through pretty rough weather, and handle better. My boat has worked well for rivers, delta, and big lakes, and have fished in 30mph winds semi-effectively. Upside to a modV - space, stability. Downside - less capable in big waters, doesn't handle quite as well.
As far as motors go, with my POS 40hp, I can get up to 30, which works for me. I have a 55lb on the bow, but a 70lb would be ideal.

If I were to buy a brand new one. I would be torn between a shallow draft mod V or a deep V w/ a 60 horse with tilt/trim (which I don't have) a new 60 would probably push my boat to 40+. A 24v. 70lb bow mount would help when that wind gets above 35-30.


It all depends what you want to do. Personally, I don't like fishing in winds above 20 or 30 anyhoo, so Mod V works well for my purposes. I like all the extra room. A Deep V would have come in handy on a few occasions.

[Darian]

The Lowe 175 is a lot of boat for the price ($14+K).... I have a 17' Fisher, modified V hull. Works great in the delta and all of the lakes I've visited. Almost all of the name brands have a similar model. You have to drill down into the specs to compare things like hull thickness, etc.

Mine outboard is a prop version. I've heard that you can buy an outboard that you can convert from Jet to prop as needed.

[Troutstalker55B]

Cyama,

I own a 2001 Tracker Deep V 16. They made two models that year and I got the modified gull wing version with the 88" beam and the drivers cockpit to the side. I'm beyond satisfied with my boat, it is very open for fly fishing, and has all the bells and whistles I need - It's a bit under powered with the 40 hp 4 stroke, but it cruises at 22mph fully loaded and I can troll down to 1.5 mph for trolling - I don't need a 175 hp motor, that's not gonna get me more and bigger fish.

It has never had any problems, and is holding up just fine. Bottom line is I'm so stoked on my Tracker boat! Feather River Sam (Pete) has been in it and says good things about it, but Pete is a Whaler man and his boat is sweet too.

Fire me any questions you so desire......

Jon.

[cyama]

Thanks for all the help!!! If the boat is still available I will be calling in sick tomorrow and trying to find those feisty stripers and shad!!

[bonneville54]

Thanks for all the help!!! If the boat is still available I will be calling in sick tomorrow and trying to find those feisty stripers and shad!!

That's terrific...let us know how it goes, boat impressions and all that. And...thanks for letting me shoehorn in on your thread....it's helped me a lot also.